In Bertie’s own words
Bertie started making knives as a hobby in 1979, his final year at school.
He is a member of the Knife-makers Guild of Southern Africa, since 1982 and served as Chairman (1997 to 1999.)
Member of the Italian Knife Guild. (Corporazione Italiana Coltellinai) since 2000, and exhibits at their Milan show annually.
He started forging his own Damascus in 1991 and is the first producer of Stainless Steel damascus in South Africa, having made his first stainless steel Damascus in 1997.
He established an engineering company, Batavia Eng. in 1988, (having studied mechanical engineering), manufacturing belt grinders and contact wheels. This business was downsized in 2000 so that Bertie could spend more time on his passion for knifemaking.
The contact wheels still persisted due to strong demand and eventually in June 2006 this came to an end in favour of full time knifemaking.
Bertie is an avid motorcyclist and regularly participates at track days at Kyalami Racing Circuit as well as Phakisa Raceway and Red Star Raceway.
Written for this directory in 2026.
Courses
Three-day one-on-one course, and a Guild preparation course.
Past work
These pieces show Bertie’s style; most have found owners. Ask what’s on the bench now or commission your own.
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Royale dagger Sold
Steel: Carved Dragonskin Damascus · Handle: Faceted Black Jade · Length: 250mm Blade, 420mm Overall · Guard and pommel are carved from Stainless steel, the drooping guard pointing to the fertile soil and the pommel symboli
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Jade Makiti Folder Sold
Steel: Composite Dragonskin Damascus and bold nickel lines · Handle: Coloured Stainless steel, Black Jade inlays and engraved by Julien Marchal · Length: 100mm Blade, 225mm Overall · The mechanism is the award winning "Bertie lock" bolster tilt. The logo is in the Stanhope lens to be found in the pivot
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Seaspray Sahara folder Sold
Steel: Composite Dragonskin Damascus and bold nickel lines · Handle: Coloured Stainless steel, lapis Lazuli inlays and 42 gold inlays · Length: 100mm Blade, 225mm Overall · Gold inlay by Julien Marchal, the mechanism is the award winning "Bertie lock" bolster tilt. The logo is in the Stanhope
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Definity Dagger
Steel: Dragonskin Damascus with a twisted nickel ribbon running down the blade. · Handle: Black Jade, faceted · Length: 260mm Blade and 430mm Overall · The guard and pommel are carved from Stainless steel, colored and 24ct gold highlights.
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Roman Pugio
Steel: Nebula Damascus with a raised spine. · Handle: 4 Black Jadepieces with a center piece of Picasso marble, separated with Titani · Length: 260mm Blade and 430mm Overall · Titanium Guard and pommel engraved with Acanthus leaves by Jonathan Knoesen.
